Katherine Turner is a versatile pianist, educator and collaborator. She holds a Masters degree in piano performance from the University of Missouri, Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance and is also a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Nebraska in Omaha where she was the recipient of the Maria Jacobsen and Hellman music scholarships. Katherine's approach to playing the piano has been shaped by a variety of study with instructors including Karen Kushner, Dr. James Johnson, Jackie Jenkins, Dr. Marie Rubis Bauer, Mark Misfeldt, and Dr. Jane Solose.
A specialty and passion of Katherine’s is collaborating with dancers. She held a Graduate Assistant position with the dance department at the UMKC Conservatory and was a pianist for the Kansas City Ballet where she had the opportunity to work with some of the world’s leading dance professionals. Katherine has also worked with Omaha Academy of Ballet and American Midwest Ballet (formerly Ballet Nebraska.)
Post graduate studies, Katherine was invited to participate in the 2015 and 2016 Maccagno Piano Days Festival and Competition held in Northern Italy. Her performances of Beethoven, Bartók and Liszt earned her a finalist spot in the 2015 festival’s international competition.
Katherine now enjoys a busy and successful career of teaching and freelancing. She is currently on the music faculty at Midland University teaching Music Theory, Aural Skills, Piano Proficiency and Applied Piano, as well as working as the Collaborative Pianist. She has previously served on the music faculties at Omaha Conservatory of Music, Bellevue East High School, St. Cecilia’s Institute and College of Saint Mary.